Sunnyside Audi

·       Annual event tests the world's best Audi service and technical experts

·       Some 3,000 Audi teams participated this year with 61 teams in finals

·       Categories include skilled diagnosis of an Audi A8 and the mechanical repair of a transmission

Neckarsulm/Ingolstadt, Germany - Audi of America took 1^st place in the international 2009 Audi Twin Cup Challenge, an annual event designed to rigorously test service and technical experts on their know-how of Audi vehicles and customer care.

The Audi of America team competed against 61 teams from 35 countries, at final rounds held in Neckarsulm, Germany. The Audi of America team of three service consultants and three technicians were tested on their combined skill set in vehicle diagnostics, best service practices and product knowledge.  The testing and scoring evaluated teams as cohesive units emphasizing the working relationship between the service consultants and technicians to achieve Audi Top Service standards.

The individuals who made up the Audi of America team that achieved this pinnacle award were: Noah Zibung, technician from Sunnyside Audi in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, John Czernenko, technician from Audi of Charlotte (N.C.); Edward Furness, technician from Maplewood Audi in Maplewood, Minn.; Jeff Massey, service consultant from Gossett Audi in Memphis, Tenn.; Jason Nye, service consultant from Carousel Audi in Minneapolis, Minn.; and Jason Turner, service consultant from Owasco Audi in Whitby, Ontario, Canada.

Their teamwork allowed the Audi of America team to finish ahead of the second-place team from Germany and the third-place finishing team from the Czech Republic.

" Audi of America is pleased to participate in this program, providing the opportunity to recognize and reward the individuals within the dealership that have one of the greatest impacts on customer satisfaction," said Marc Trahan, Audi of America Director of Product Quality and Technical Service.

To become one of the six Audi of America team members for the Audi Twin Cup global competition, technicians and service consultants from US and Canada had to complete all of the Audi Academy certification requirements in their job category.  Then they participate in a three-round elimination testing process.  The first and second rounds involved online testing, while the third round involved hands-on practical skills.  This testing format required time and commitment on the part of the participants, bringing forward the best service consultants and technicians in America to be prepared to compete on the worldwide stage of the Twin Cup Challenge.   

Altogether, more than 9,000 service technicians and advisors participated worldwide in the 2009 Audi Twin Cup.

"We strive to provide all of our customers worldwide with top service from Audi. Moreover, the service spectrum must be perfect: from a 100% focus on the customer through first-class service to fast and flawless repairs. At the Audi Twin Cup, our service and technical teams once again impressively proved that Audi embodies and resolutely exemplifies these virtues," said Bernd Hoffmann, Head of After Sales and Audi Original Parts at AUDI AG.

This was the 5^th annual Audi Twin Cup. Including the national competitions, the Cup lasts around six months. All Audi dealerships in possession of a service contract with AUDI AG may participate. The respective victors of each participating country's championship qualify to compete in the international Audi Twin Cup Practical Final.

Photo availability

A downloadable photograph of the winning Audi of America Twin Cup Challenge team can be found at www.audiusanews.com.

ABOUT AUDI

Audi of America Inc. and its 270 dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. The Audi lineup is one of the freshest in the industry with 23 models, including 12 models launched during model years 2008 and 2009. Audi is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. In selling one million vehicles worldwide in 2008, AUDI AG recorded its 13th consecutive record year for sales growth. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

It's a great accomplishment to be honored as one of the top 34 dealerships in the nation. It's even more impressive when two of your technicians are among the top 10 technicians in North America.

They must be doing something right at Sunnyside Audi in Middleburg Heights. At Audi's recent national dealership meeting in Washington DC, the dealership was named a Magna Society Award recipient, placing it among the top 30 dealerships in the nation. It marks the second year in a row that the dealership won the award.

And just a month ago, two of the dealership's technicians scored among the top 10 in North America in Audi's annual Technician Challenge.

"I have one gentleman, Rob Strodtbeck, who has consistently scored in the top 10 for the last 12 years," said Steve Tonovitz, general manager of the dealership, which is a part of the Sunnyside Automotive Group. "Then I have another technician, Noah Zibung, who was named the best technician in North America."

Strodtbeck placed eighth in the competition, Zibung placed first in the competition and is now on a three-tech team that will compete in Audi's Worldwide Technician Challenge this summer in Europe.

According to Tonovitz, the entire process took more than three months, with both Strodtbeck and Zibung scoring among the highest in the nation in a preliminary written examination.

That was followed by a regional test and a final test that included hands-on diagnostics and repair of a vehicle in Chicago at the Audi North American Technician Challenge championships last month.

"I also just confirmed, through Audi, that this is the first time in the 18-year history of the Challenge that two technicians from a single dealership have scored in the top 10," said Tonovitz. "When you buy a new car, it's a wonderful feeling. But what happens after you buy a vehicle is a lot more important. Knowing that we have two technicians who are among the very best in the nation is a real source of pride for this dealership."

But so is winning the Magna Society award, especially for the second year in a row. The Magna Society award process is year long and involves quarterly evaluations by Audi.

"It looks at customer satisfaction ratings, in terms of both sales and service. It also looks at operating standards, staying in line with all of their recommendations, and processes and procedures. And it's certification, as well," said Tonovitz. "My entire store was certified last year, from the sales and service personnel to the receptionist and my detailing manager."

There are a few other things that set Sunnyside Audi apart from other dealerships.

"All upscale dealerships provide valet service, but we have an excellent loaner fleet of more than 30 vehicles," said Tonovitz. "That includes Audi A8s, Q7s and A4s. If you buy an A8 from me, it's only fair that you receive an A8 or a vehicle of a similar caliber as a loaner. It's just another one of the services we offer to our guests."

Sunnyside Audi always refers to it customers as "guests," just to help the dealership's employees keep things in perspective.

"And we prefer to refer to our employees as associates," Tonovitz was quick to correct.

That makes for some pretty happy employees. The average tenure at the dealership is "about 12 years," said Tonovitz, "and I have some associates who have been here more than 30 years."

Sunnyside Audi is the largest stand-alone Audi dealership in Ohio. It's a part of the Sunnyside Automotive Group.

Taken from the Cleveland Plain Dealer; March 30, 2009